An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Urtel

by Friedrich Kluge

Urtel, Urteil, neuter, ‘judgment, sentence, decision,’ from Middle High German urteil, urteile, feminine and neuter, ‘judicial decision’; allied to erteilen (literally ‘that which is imparted’). Compare Dutch oordeel, Anglo-Saxon ordâl, ‘judgment’ (whence French ordalie, ‘judgment of God,’ Middle Latin ordalium).